Speed developed complications after donating his kidney to his wife of 34 years. He was in the hospital's ICU on Monday, but family members said he is improving.

Meanwhile, Lisa is responding well to the new kidney.

"I thought I loved him before, but this has renewed that for me, the lengths that you go to for the person you love," Lisa said before surgery.

"We see the love that they have for each other," said daughter Mandy Young. "Knowing that love is still there is phenomenal."

Lisa was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease decades ago.

But just last year, Lisa's kidney function began dropping to less than 20 percent, making her a candidate for transplant.

Her husband was one of several family members and friends who wanted to be tested to be her donor.

"I think a peace came about when he started testing," said Alex Crawford, one of the couple's two daughters. "It was almost like we knew that it as going to be that way. When the call came, it was confirmation. It was an overwhelming feeling."

Turns out, Speed was a perfect match and an eager donor.

"This way, I can give her hope and an organ that might make her life a little better," Speed said.

"I felt some guilt, like he's gone through a lot already," Lisa said. "What he's about to go through, I just hate that. But he wouldn't have it any other way. And in the reverse, I would do the exact same thing."